Surf the Ring

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

How Sure the Scriptures Are

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.II Timothy 3:16-17

In studying the gospel of John, I have become increasingly thankful that we have the word of God in written form. We have a record of Jesus’ time here on Earth, and the things He said and taught. The Bible is more than that, though. Although as Christians we tend to focus on the New Testament, the Old Testament is equally important. The Old Testament shows us time and time again how God kept His covenant with His people and it points to the coming of Jesus – the ultimate gift that reconciles us to God.

We can be assured that the Scriptures are God’s infallible Word: Jesus himself used the Scriptures to teach and show how the prophecy about Him was being fulfilled.

Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.Luke 24:27

Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” Luke 27:44-48

Paul had a very dramatic conversion experience. Paul previously spoke against Jesus, and then God met him on the road to Damascus. Most of us know “the rest of the story.” The dramatic change in Paul shocked those who knew him.

Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God." All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, "Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?" But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ.Acts 9:19-22

How did he prove it? By teaching from the Scriptures.

Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And according to Paul's custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ." Acts 17:1-3

Even early in his ministry, Paul knew the value of the Scriptures and their importance in pointing to the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. He reminded the Romans of this great truth:

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4

The Scriptures do provide everlasting hope: God kept His promise. And He still keeps His promises today. His word is clear, as this hymn reminds us, so let us hear and do His will.

How Sure the Scriptures AreWords by Christopher Idle

How sure the Scriptures are! God’ vital, urgent word,As true as steel and far more sharp than any sword!So deep and fine, at His control they pierce where soul and spirit join.

They test each human thought, refining like a fire; They measure what we ought to do and to desire:For God knows all – exposed it lies before His eyes to whom we call.

Let those who hear His voice confronting them today,Reject the tempting choice of doubting or delay:For God speaks still – His word is clear, so let us hear and do His will.